JorgeGonzalez

• UK Most Improved Offensive Player by UK coaches (2008)

On the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s best center … Proved to be a steady presence in the Wildcat line during his first season as a starter … Handles the shotgun snap well … A natural lefthander, he snaps righthanded, allowing him to deliver the first blow to his opponent with his dominant hand … Has played in 17 career games, making 13 starts.

2008 (Junior): Named the team’s Most Improved Offensive Player for the 2008 season … Started all 13 games for the Wildcats at center … As a unit the offensive line ranked fourth nationally and led the SEC in fewest sacks allowed … Also ranked 11th in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed.

2007 (Sophomore): Played in three games, seeing action in wins over Eastern Kentucky, Kent State and Florida Atlantic.

2006 (Redshirt Freshman): Played well in the season opener at Louisville … Was pushing senior center Matt McCutchan for playing time before suffering a season-ending knee injury in practice during the second week of the season.

2005 (Freshman): Redshirted.

High School: Two-year all-county selection in the talent-rich Tampa, Fla., area … Three-year letterman and three-year starter at Catholic HS in Tampa … Played guard his sophomore and junior seasons, then moved to center his senior year … Played for the winning Hillsborough team in the Hillsborough County vs. Orange County All-Star Game following his senior season … Has good strength, with top efforts of 570 pounds in the squat lift and 320 in the bench press … A natural left-hander, he snaps right-handed, which enables him to deliver his first blow to the opponent with his dominant hand … Coached by Jim Guderian, a former college coach and long-time high-school coach … Guderian coached former Alabama All-America center Steve Mott and former LSU All-America center Nacho Albergamo when they were in high school; Guderian says that Gonzalez compares very favorably to them … “Jorge has a lot of upside, great feet, and is strong enough to take a guy head-on and move him,” Guderian said. “At this stage, he’s every bit as good as Albergamo and Mott were in high school.” … A two-year letterman on the baseball team as a pitcher and first baseman … Batted .421 one season … Narrowed his choices to Kentucky, Alabama-Birmingham, Connecticut, and Purdue before going with the Wildcats.

Personal: First name pronounced the same as “George” … Born in Tampa, Fla. … Son of Jorge Gonzalez and Debra Gonzalez … Major is agricultural economics.

Community Cats: Served as a bellringer for the Salvation Army and participated in the UK Children’s Hospital “Breakfast With Santa” (2006).